Eden Hazard to miss El Clasico and Real Madrid’s Champions League clash with Man City
Real Madrid attacker Eden Hazard has suffered yet another injury and looks set to miss a key run of games in both La Liga and the Champions League.
The Belgian forward, who joined from Chelsea last summer for £90 million rising to £150m, has suffered a debut campaign in Spain plagued by absences.
He has only managed 15 appearances in all competitions thus far, completing 90 minutes on only five occasions, and only made his return from his last injury two games ago.
After claiming an assist against Celta Vigo in a 2-2 draw last week, he started once more against Levante on Sunday night – but was subbed off 67 minutes into the game after taking a hit to the same ankle he was previously out with.
Manager Zinedine Zidane said after the game that it was a worry and his fears have been realised, with Real Madrid releasing a medical report on Sunday morning and confirming that Hazard has suffered a “fracture to his right distal fibula.”
His absence will be all the more keenly felt by Los Blancos because of their run of games coming up, which starts with a Champions League last 16 first leg clash at home to Manchester City.
Following that, they begin March with El Clasico in La Liga at the Camp Nou, which took on added significance of its own on Saturday after Barcelona went back to the top of the table.
Their 5-0 win over Eibar, plus Real’s 1-0 loss at Levante, means the Catalan outfit will have a two-point lead heading into the match.
Madrid also face Real Betis, Eibar, the second leg against Man City, Valencia and Real Sociedad in the coming weeks.
Hazard is likely to be absent for at least six to eight weeks, though it could be longer. He missed 10 league games during his last spell on the sidelines, including the home Clasico which ended 0-0.
